This image is really haunting, nicely done <3 I love how the silhouette is so far from the viewer, but that we can still make out highlights of color from the lights above, it really adds to the tragic beauty of the image!
It was quite peaceful in the end, drifting down into the frosted darkness. The last thing I remember from that life was falling, watching the silhouette of my sister and another figure disappear as I lost consciousness and life escaped my lips.
My sister was sinking fast, disappearing into darkness. I dove deeper, ignoring my slowing heartbeat and blurring vision. I grabbed onto my sister's wrist, hoping that she had not already been claimed by hypothermia, and mustered the rest of my strength to pull my sister's limp body toward the surface. She may not survive, even then, but she had a better chance this way. I heaved her up onto the ice and let go, drifting back down under the water.
I urged my sister to come closer again, and this time she took a hesitant step forward. The ice cracked around her feet and she took in her breath sharply. Heart beating frantically, I told her to stay still and I inched forward. Then, the ice splintered and she fell through. I immediately dove forward and slid into the freezing water. I tried to push through the shock of the water which could have been boiling hot or icy cold for how intensely it pierced my skin.
She stared at me with eyes like pieces of silver, and I knew that I would have to come to her. I told her to try and step forward as I inched onto the pond myself. Luckily, I was wearing thick boots which allowed me to walk across the ice without slipping too much, but I could tell that the ice was incredibly thin. My sister watched me approach, listening to the ice creak under my feet. How she had made it into the center of the pond I had no idea.
